[ This program contains material (topic, language, violence) unsuitable for children under the age of 15 ]
[ Episode 10 ]
[ Announcement: Governor Hong Ki Ho's daughter has been selected as the queen ]
What are you doing right now?
Lady Hong cannot become the queen.
She is already selected as the queen.
- That cannot be. - King!
Please ask everyone to leave, Grandmother.
King.
Let's have the ladies leave and talk among us...
Everyone, please leave the room.
- Court Lady Jung. - Yes, Your Highness.
Please leave now, Queen Mother.
What?
His Majesty did?
Did something happen?
Why is it taking so long to deliver the result?
Make Lady Jo the queen.
Why is it Lady Jo all of a sudden?
Did you not hear that we already chose Lady Hong?
It cannot be Lady Hong.
How so?
She faked her identity.
What do you mean, "faked her identity?"
You know better than anyone, Grandmother.
You're the one who allowed the
resurrected queen to participate in the selection.
What in the world are you talking about?
Should I summon the priestess?
Before the selection started,
I saw the queen entering the palace with the priestess.
You deceived me from that point on, Grandmother.
We need to reinstate her as the queen
so the culprit of the assassination shows his face again.
I am not suggesting her to be our sacrifice.
If you and I catch the culprit together,
we can protect the queen.
That is not protecting but using.
King.
You have no idea...
what it is that I truly want to protect, Grandmother.
What is the reason you are doing this?
By chance,
did that Jo Heung Gyeon do something?
Please let us live.
Please send us back.
Please...
I'll bring another bowl.
We can never accept Jo Heung Gyeon's daughter.
How did he threaten you exactly?
What did he say he would do if we do not select his daughter?
If you will not change your mind,
I have no choice but to reveal what you did.
What did you just say?
You are the eldest of the royals who should set an example.
I'm sure you do not want to dishonor yourself for switching the identity
of a candidate for a selection.
King!
The Queen Dowager is here.
I will announce the result of the final round of selection.
The candidate who is chosen to be the queen
is the daughter of Jo Heung Gyeon, the left state minister.
It is Young Ji.
Lady Kim and Lady Hong,
please take a deep bow to the new queen.
Your Highness, how did it go?
Jo Heung Gyeon's daughter was selected.
Pardon?
Did you say Jo Heung Gyeon's daughter?
If so...
- how about my Song Yi? - Why bother asking?
She got disqualified.
Geez...
I knew this would happen.
You should've taken extra care for her.
Are you blaming me for this?
Do you know what that cheeky Song Yi said during the
evaluation of the final round?
She said she would abandon her family.
How could I defend a girl like that?
Song Yi said that?
That little...
The water has already been spilled.
I do not want to see any of you. Please get out of here!
Aigoo...
Your Majesty.
You have to leave now.
The Royal Secretariat has been waiting to announce the result of the selection.
Han Mo.
You must bring back Kang Yi Soo's wife safely.
Yes, Your Majesty.
You may leave the palace now.
My lady!
How dare you hold your head up high
and walk by putting dirt on an aristocrat's skirt?
Where's the dirt?
You servant b****...
What are you doing?
Don't take it out on an innocent person.
Although no one is watching, we are still in the palace.
You should know that much if you are an aristocrat.
Don't act superior.
You have been rejected just like me too.
Let's go!
Are you okay?
How about you? Are you okay?
My lady.
You were disqualified, right?
Say something to your new daughter-in-law.
I have a mouth, but no words.
You should say something instead.
I have much room to grow. Please teach me well.
I will do my best gladly.
Do not think of this lightly.
The women here spend every day
enduring shame and pain.
You are not in a position to be glad.
Please stay alert.
I will keep that in mind.
You will have to live in a separate villa.
It would be better to keep it short.
By law, the villa has to be outside the palace.
I am thinking of using Hwigyeongjae,
where the candidates used to stay in.
Yes, Your Highness.
Congratulations, Your Excellency!
You are the father-in-law to the king.
Congratulations!
I was worried because you seemed so relaxed.
I guess it was just meant to be.
The left state minister is above chief state minister now.
It won't be so far-fetching to say the left state minister
is above the king anymore.
Please do not forget me when that happens.
We are in the palace.
Please watch your words.
This is Officer Han.
What brings you here, Officer Han?
His Majesty must have something to discuss with me.
I was expecting you.
Did the Queen Dowager betray us?
I heard the King changed the result.
The King did?
That makes no sense.
I've witnessed him defending that woman in front of me.
How could he choose Jo Heung Gyeon's daughter all of a sudden?
Anyway, our plan has been ruined.
Your Excellency.
We won't be able to carry out our plan without military rights.
We need to find
a different plan somehow.
Your Excellency.
His Excellency Hong Ki Ho sent a letter urgently.
- Hong Ki Ho did? - Yes.
What is it?
Hong Yi Soo's wife and Hong Yeon disappeared from the temple.
Here are the palace ladies who will be assisting you.
You may keep your servant as your palace lady.
Byeol!
Congratulations, my lady!
I mean, Your Highness!
They are probably alive.
If they meant to kill them, they would've done so at the temple.
Who do you think took them?
Should we tell Eun Bo about this?
Don't tell her.
If you say her mother disappeared while under our care,
she would no longer trust you.
Send someone out and look for them thoroughly.
Your Excellency.
Are you considering accepting Eun Bo as our member?
She's the daughter of Kang Yi Soo, the author of the Theory of Enlightenment.
That is good enough of a reason.
That would be the perfect way to cheer up the members
who are tired of waiting.
Is that really the only reason?
Don't worry.
I'm rescuing you upholding the King's order.
The King's order?
- My lady! - Are you okay?
Let's get out of here first.
Careful.
I took them to a safe place for now.
However, Your Majesty...
when I arrived at the warehouse,
the real Lady Hong was held captive there.
You mean Hong Yeon?
We need to send her back to her family.
Summon Hong Ki Ho, the governor of Gyeonggi.
Yes, Your Majesty.
By the way,
did your dream not get actualized this time?
I think I changed my dream.
I do not know how this would
change the future either.
Your Majesty...
What should I do with Kang Yi Soo's wife?
She can't be with the Queen...
She can't be with Eun Ki.
They might be put into danger again.
I think...
we should let Baek Ja Yong take care of her.
He and Kang Yi Soo used to be friends.
You mean Kang Yi Soo's wife is in His Majesty's care?
Yes, it's due to a situation that couldn't be avoided.
His Majesty wants to know if you could take care of her.
Please tell him that I will.
I do not know how to thank you
for saving my daughter.
Have you been taking care of Kang Yi Soo's wife as well?
Yes.
Although it is too late,
may I ask you why you helped her?
I did not really want to at first.
However...
I thought she was the victim and the
witness of this chaotic situation...
Please forgive me.
I am aware that you have people's trust within Gyeonggi
since I have heard a lot about it.
Although I have not known you for a long time,
considering how you do not hesitate to speak frankly,
I feel even more reassured.
Could you become the new minister of justice?
I am asking you to become one of my men.
Forgive me for saying this,
but could you give me time to consider?
A man who is hesitant to get promoted...
Please do not make me wait too long.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Why does the house feel so empty today?
You're home, Uncle.
Why bother coming out to greet him?
You're upsetting him.
Go inside!
Geez...
Look at you now.
You acted all high and mighty.
What are you standing there for?
Wash your dear brother's feet.
Bring water to wash them.
What did you say?
What?
Are you upset?
What will you do then?
You weren't even selected.
Right.
Get nice and hot water, not cold water.
Aigoo, look at you.
You look like you're about to die.
Hey.
Hey!
You think you'll die for not becoming the queen?
Pull yourself together!
This doesn't suit you at all. What's going on?
It all went to waste.
I can neither find the culprit nor take revenge!
Why are you fussy with me?
Did I disqualify you?
Maybe I'm being punished.
I fooled so many people for my revenge
and tempted to be in such a high position.
Why are you suddenly...
being self-reflective? It's not like you.
Hey.
What did the King say?
No word from him?
What would he say?
Well...
But still, how could he remain silent?
Seriously...
Everything the Prince said was correct.
What are you talking about? The Prince?
So the Prince told me that...
the King ditches people when he no longer needs them.
You've been ditched.
You've just been ditched!
It's not like that!
Who came? The Prince?
How did he know I was here?
I didn't tell him.
It wasn't me!
Geez...
Tell him just to leave.
Hey, but still...
You can't tell him to leave like that.
I was disqualified, but I still made it to the final round.
Please explain that I can't see him privately.
Yes.
If you get disqualified during the final round,
must you live alone forever? Until you wither and die?
Can't you see other men?
She told you not to visit her.
Tell her that I will be back.
Give her these.
Hey!
What are those fragile things in your hands?
They're for my lady.
Hey.
I asked you what they are. Not who they're for.
I should've hooked her up with the Prince instead.
The Prince's wife. How nice would that be?
It's way better than being single forever.
Maybe she really did get ditched.
It better not be true.
I don't care if he's the king or not. I'll just...
kick his butt...
I did not say anything.
You're told to expedite the investigation process regarding the clue.
In this situation?
Well...
You know the situation.
Why would I be all chipper and willing to
go after the clue?
What did you just say?
I said I will hurry up and go after the clue.
Take care.
I should hurry up now...
Where should I go first?
How scary and petty.
Geez.
Aigoo, you were out here.
Where were you all this time?
Well, I was here and there...
Why?
Was Captain looking for me?
He had a fit earlier because you played hooky again.
Geez, what a piece of work.
Let's go inside before he has another fit.
It's not easy to learn the royal etiquette, Your Highness.
Your Highness, it's Court Lady Lee.
Come in.
[ Sohak ]
This is the "Sohak" which you will study with your father tomorrow.
You must be tired after the etiquette practice,
but please read in advance.
All right. Will do.
Your Majesty.
I just received news from the queen's villa.
The new queen is
absorbed into learning the
etiquette and Sohak every day.
Please award her hard work with a special meal, at least.
Do what you think is best.
The Minister of Rites from the Royal Wedding Bureau will see you tomorrow.
They will be sent to the new queen's residence
and discuss the royal marriage certificate and wedding gifts.
They do not have to discuss it with me.
Just tell them to do what is necessary.
Your Majesty.
How about you let her become the royal noble consort?
Young ladies who were disqualified
during the final round often live in the palace.
I heard that lady...
has not left the house lately.
My apologies, Your Majesty.
I found out about her without your permission.
Although she may be pretending as if she is okay, like you.
She was disqualified without knowing why.
She must be devastated.
I am...
planning to keep my mouth shut no matter where you go
at least for tonight.
My lady!
My lady, please come out.
You cannot come here.
You are about to be wedded.
I...
selected Lady Jo as the queen.
What did you just say?
I disqualified you...
and chose her instead.
That's all the more reason you should not have come.
I could not help myself anymore!
Are you mocking me right now?
You are the one who chose another woman.
You just told me so yourself.
I would like you to leave now.
It was to save you.
I do not mind if you blame me, but
please do not turn away from me like this.
What do you mean by that?
I asked you what you meant.
Your mother was kidnapped.
Kidnapped? My mother?
By whom?
Per your last order,
I found out through the spy at the Royal Investigation Bureau.
He said the owner of Buyong Agency became an officer.
An officer?
That must have been the King's order.
I have a bad feeling about it.
Could he still be investigating that case?
If so, we should get rid of him...
Leave him be for now.
It might be a trap.
He might've placed him at the Bureau
and is waiting for us to come and kill him.
By the way,
the King said something strange.
Only you, Young Ji, and I were aware of the plan
to reveal that Lady Hong is an imposter.
But how could he have known about that?
As soon as Young Ji bears an heir,
let us eliminate the King.
You'll soon be given a huge responsibility as well.
So stop frequenting taverns.
Yes, sir.
Jo Heung Gyeon is...
He knew that you are Eun Ki.
He held the real Hong Yeon captive as well.
How about my mother?
Is that young lady okay?
Both of them are safe.
Do not worry.
That is why...
you accepted Lady Jo as the queen?
And someone evil like that will be your father-in-law?
I had no other choice but to save you.
But still...
how could you be so foolish?
You are the first person to
call me foolish in my entire life.
How could you laugh right now?
I know.
I did not know I could laugh.
It's getting late.
You should go back to the palace.
Please leave now.
You should not be here right now.
I cannot leave like this.
Your Majesty!
How is the lady doing?
Well...
She's in a sorry situation.
She must be devastated.
Furthermore, I heard that the King is the one who selected
the left state minister's daughter.
Is that really true?
Why did he tell me to find the culprit then?
The culprit?
Yes, the culprit...
I've been looking for the one who was behind the assassination
during the procession recently.
Has His Majesty been looking for that culprit?
Well, anyway...
What you said is true!
She definitely got ditched.
Seriously...
Is it okay for you to be out for so long?
You should go back.
Would you like to borrow a fishing boat and cross the river?
I'm scared of water.
I almost drowned once when I was a child.
But you were on a boat with me last time.
Will you ride the boat?
If not, why don't you get some fresh fish I got this morning?
I can start a fire for you to grill them too.
Are you not hungry?
You did not have dinner either.
We will take some.
Here.
Try some.
Have you eaten this way before?
My father liked fishing.
I used to tag along as a child.
It is tasty.
Please have some, Officer Han.
- No, thank you. I... - Take it.
You have not eaten either.
His Excellency Kang Yi Soo told me once.
Rather than reading alone stuck in the room,
he prefers to chat with people
and fish with them a lot more.
He probably wrote the Theory of Enlightenment
for those people as well.
Do you know about that book?
Yet you still tried to save my father?
I did not agree with everything in the book,
but it was virtuous and sincere
just like his character.
It's okay. I'll do it.
You do not even know where it is.
It is done.
What is it?
You wiped it off, right?
Your Majesty!
You are pretty.
A blanket.
Yes, I will go get one.
Your Majesty.
By chance, do you think I have changed from before?
What do you mean by that?
Answer me.
Don't you think I've changed?
Come to think of it,
you did change.
I thought you just became womanly,
but lately, it feels like you're your younger self too.
You got shot and went through such a painful experience.
How could you still be the same?
If so, do you like me better now
better than when I was more womanly?
What a silly thing to say.
You are the same person you have always been.
Is something wrong?
Not at all.
You should go back now.
Ask the King to have a concubine?
Not only does he not visit me, he does not even treat me as his mother.
At this rate,
I might end up falling behind the Queen Dowager.
Whether we like her or not,
we should make Song Yi his concubine for our future plans.
I understand what you mean.
Isn't this the Kim family's barracks?
I've been thinking about this.
Even though she was ditched,
I should still do what I'm supposed to do.
Who else would do this but me?
What are you talking about?
Let's just leave it at that.
I've been informed that
a hunter at this barracks hunted a falcon which is banned by law.
Let's go inside.
Let's hurry up and go inside!
Lead the way.
Falcon hunting?
That never happened. Leave now.
Hey, hey, hey. Mister.
Huh? "Leave now?"
Did you say, "leave now?"
How dare you talk to us that way?
Don't you know where you are?
The Chief State Minister Kim's family...
How about you?
Do you know who I am?
I'm not just an officer. I'm an officer from the prestigious
Royal Investigation Bureau.
The hunters standing behind you.
I'll have to investigate all of them.
You'd better get ready.
- How dare you... - What did you say?
- Investigate whom? - What are you doing?
- Are you okay? - This is like...
I should just...
- Aigoo... - What is the fuss?
Young Master.
Sir.
I once got you the latest lewd prints
through Cho Hyang, who works at the watering hole.
- Lewd prints? - Yes.
Right...
That fidgety fellow.
Yes, I'm that fidgety fellow.
Aigoo.
Things have been so dreary around the house lately.
I can't even go near the watering hole.
It's so nice to drink like this.
Sir,
please forgive me for the mistake I made today.
I don't know who made a false report.
But if I catch him, I'll...
I'll teach him a thing or two!
Seriously...
- Of course! - Yes.
The Kim family is not dead yet.
Of course not! Your eyes are wide open.
How could you be dead?
I took a glance earlier
and the hunters had tattoos on the back of their necks.
What are they?
Right here?
That means that they're hunters who work for the Kim family.
Wow, that's so cool.
But you can never get rid of it.
That's right.
- It will be there even after you retire. - I see.
Has anyone removed it?
Yes, sir.
There have been two so far.
Two of them?
This is such a nice barracks.
They probably regret so much that they left on their own.
It makes me wonder all of a sudden.
How are those two doing these days?
I'm suddenly curious about that.
I know.
What are they up to?
Well...
One of them moved to China
and the other one is...
I'm not sure.
I did hear that he frequents the tavern around here.
Which one was that? The one who was a good shooter?
His name was Gae...
Was it Gae Myung or Gae Chil?
Well, yes...
So... You said, "a tavern?"
You can drop me off here.
I can go on my own from here.
Eun Ki.
Yes, Your Majesty.
Could you stay with me even as my concubine?
I do not want to leave you alone.
I have no choice but to follow your order.
Where have you been without your litter or servant?
I told you not to visit me.
I said I'd come back.
Did she not tell you?
Why do you keep doing this?
I'll tell you now since I can no longer ignore it.
Please do not care for me.
Since I made it to the final round,
I'll either live alone or become his concubine.
I'm the King's woman now.
Do you wish to become his concubine?
I can help you.
I'll persuade Queen Mother
and His Majesty, so you don't have to live as the King's woman.
Please don't.
What is it that you want then?
I'll do everything for you.
I'm still a prince, as you know.
Please don't ruin the situation
because of personal feelings.
Both of you and His Majesty will be
in a bind because of me.
Which one are you concerned about?
Is it me or His Majesty?
My lady!
My lady, my lady!
Please help me.
My mother is sick.
You are...
This is Shinmoongo.
Instead of a complaint,
can I say that I want to eat stuff like this every day?
I asked around to get here.
Please help us.
We have no money for a physician, but my mother is sick.
She might end up dying.
Where is she?
Please leave.
I hope I won't be seeing you again.
Let's go.
Mother! Mother!
Mother!
Look, are you okay?
Where does it hurt?
Stomach...
Get a physician first.
Yes.
It'd be faster to take her to the physician.
Thank you.
Don't worry. She's asleep.
It's okay now.
By the way, what did she eat?
An aristocrat family in the area
hands out stale food to people sometimes.
People get stomach aches eating that food.
That's why I told her not to eat it, but...
I've eaten stale food like that before.
Those high and mighty people probably never even considered
that you can get sick from eating that food.
All they can eat for a day is a spoonful of rice
and they can die because they can't afford a physician.
They probably never have seen poor people
to know that they exist.
I should change her out of her sweaty clothes.
Please go outside with the child for a moment.
Let's go.
Do you know how to read?
Learn.
What would be the point?
I'm a low-class citizen.
I learned to read when I was about your age.
The fact that you and your mother eat stale food from hunger.
And the fact that you can't afford a physician.
You'll learn that it's wrong.
You'll also learn that you're the true owner
of this country as well.
Your mother woke up.
Go inside.
Really?
She needs to sleep here tonight.
Let's get going.
How do you know that sentence?
What do you mean?
"The people are the owners of this country."
Didn't you read that from a book?
By chance,
do you know a book titled "Theory of Enlightenment?"
Have you read it too?
It's a good book.
Do you really know the Theory of Enlightenment?
Yes.
I know who wrote it.
He's your father.
He died after being manipulated by the King.
Didn't you want to take revenge for His Excellency Kang Yi Soo?
Isn't that your goal?
How...
How do you know that?
Who are you?
Kang Yi Soo, Baek Ja Yong, Hong Ki Ho.
They all wish to change the world alongside me.
We have a greater cause in mind.
The one your father...
wanted to put as the new king...
is me.
Do you remember what I said earlier?
That I'll give you what you want?
If you want to take revenge for your family,
I can...
find the culprit for you.
If so...
the reason why you placed me in the selection
was for your own goal too?
It was for the greater cause.
The greater cause?
You were a scary person.
Sir, it's Eun Bo.
Come in.
Are you really planning to
steal the throne and seat the Prince there?
How did you know?
Was that really what my father wanted?
It's not true, is it?
My father wouldn't...
follow someone who uses people
for their own good.
He chose His Majesty.
Maybe he did in his last moment,
but your father definitely wrote the Theory of Enlightenment.
A world where people can change the king.
That was the future we dreamed of together.
But he eventually changed.
And you hid that from me intentionally.
He was enticed by the King momentarily.
Don't jump to a conclusion like that.
Even if emotions swayed him,
he made that decision on his own.
What is the reason for your anger?
Is it for not telling you about your father
or because of our plan to take down the king?
From the beginning,
you weren't interested in catching my sister's assassin at all.
I finally realized that we have different goals.
Please do not control me any longer.
The two disqualified young ladies from the selection
will enter the palace as my concubines.
Please be sure to prepare for that.
You will induct the queen and the concubines at the same time?
Your Majesty.
An induction ceremony is a national event!
Yes, Your Majesty.
The new queen will be introduced as the mother of the country.
How could you induct concubines on the same day?
It's not like such precedence did not take place.
Some of the previous kings
inducted the queen and the concubines
on the same day as well.
Of course, you'll need concubines.
However...
perhaps you should give it a little time, Your Majesty.
Do I need your approval
when inducting concubines too?
I already made up my mind.
Now I am telling you
to follow my order.
I can't take it anymore.
I should tell him that
I'm her twin before it's too late
and get punished for
deceiving His Majesty.
If you reveal yourself now,
not only your mother
but everyone tied to you can be put in danger.
Would you be able to endure that?
Did you reveal your identity to Eun Bo?
It just happened that way.
She started changing.
The royals will accept the young ladies at the
final round as concubines.
Did you say "concubines?"
She's choosing the King after all.
He's inducting concubines today?
Why are you telling me this now?
Don't be agitated, Your Highness.
You are His Majesty's wife and the mother of this nation.
That is being announced to the world today.
There's no reason to worry about concubines.
- But... - Your Highness.
Do you know why I'm still keeping a low profile?
Our day has not come yet.
Give birth to a prince.
That's the only way to steal His Majesty's heart.
Do you understand?
I understand.
Song Yi.
What are you doing?
I think Uncle has something to say.
Yes, yes.
Yes.
Neither of us is satisfied with you being a concubine.
But let bygones be bygones
and give birth to a boy before the queen.
They say a royal woman
without a son is like candlelight before the wind
even if she's the queen.
And even if she is a concubine, if she has a son,
she has control over the palace.
This is why I'm letting you in the palace.
Don't worry. I'll succeed.
She always boasts, but she fails.
Could you...
please succeed this time?
You have to address me formally from now on, Brother.
What?
Don't you think, Uncle?
She's right.
Let's get going now.
You should enter the palace now, My Lady.
My Lady.
It's time for you to enter the palace.
The litter from the palace has been waiting outside.
Song Yi from the Kim family and Yeon from the Hong family.
You are being inducted as the Royal Noble Consort Rank Two.
Ladies Consortship Sukeui, please take a bow.
Congratulations, My Lady.
His Majesty the King is here.
Your Majesty.
Please share the nuptial drinks with Her Highness.
You can leave now.
Your Majesty.
I do not need you. Please leave.
How does it feel to fulfill your father's dream finally?
Your Majesty.
I did not fulfill my father's dream.
I fulfilled my own.
I will live as your woman
for the rest of my life.
I remember how you looked as a child.
You used to fall and cry all the time.
You were like my little sister.
You called me "kiddo" then.
That's when I first fell for you, Your Majesty.
At the time,
I already held someone else in my heart.
Do not try to live as my woman.
I never allowed you to do that.
We are just married according to tradition.
There will never be love
between you and me.
This is my first night as the queen.
How could you make such a cruel promise?
There was a woman
who got shot on the first day as the queen.
How could this be crueler than that?
Have a good night.
The night air is cold, My Lady.
His Majesty is probably at the queen's chamber, right?
Your Majesty!
What brings you here...
You came all the way here to greet me.
How could I not come?
Pardon?
When did I...
I was just here to get fresh air.
The breeze is nice.
How can you come here tonight?
I have been yelled at by Chief Eunuch Hwang.
Please do not add to that.
You will feel trapped in the palace often.
When the spring comes around Buddha's birthday,
let's go on an outing like last time.
I still think about that lantern to this day.
The lantern?
Do you not remember?
We floated lanterns on the river together.
Right, yes!
Those lanterns were pretty.
Pretty?
What's wrong?
It is nothing.
I should get going now.
Rest now.
I will choose a day and return soon.
On that night,
wait inside your chamber.
Our plan is starting to fall apart.
Eun Bo won't act as we expected, either.
She's only focused on taking revenge for her sister,
she can't accept the greater cause.
Shouldn't we give her more time?
Will giving her more time
make her be on our side?
The situation will change quickly.
Jo Heung Gyeon will acquire military rights as promised
and they will become stronger and more aggressive every day.
It will become more and more difficult for us to revolt.
And even if Eun Bo doesn't reveal our identities to the King,
we will get revealed in no time.
What should we do, Your Excellency?
What if I met with Eun Bo first?
No matter what we might do,
we should figure out what she thinks first.
Did you have a comfortable night, Your Highness?
How about you two?
I had a peaceful night alone,
but I'm not sure about Consort Hong.
What do you mean?
According to the servants,
His Majesty enjoyed a walk with Consort Hong.
He stopped by for a moment, but he went back to his bedchamber.
Consort Kim.
Be careful what you choose to say.
Although we participated in the selection together,
the situation has changed, as you can see.
You will have to behave properly.
I will keep that in mind.
Try to be more mindful from now on.
His Majesty might have stopped by,
your duty is to help me as the queen to assist His Majesty.
Yes, Your Highness.
Excuse me.
Have you seen a man with a burnt mark on the back of his neck?
- No, I haven't. - Think about it carefully.
Aigoo, why won't you believe me?
What do you mean, I won't?
Ma'am, ma'am.
Have you seen a man with a burnt mark on the back of his neck...
- No, I haven't! - Ma'am!
The man who wore the bamboo hat?
- Yes. - He left a few days ago.
He left? Have you seen his face?
Are you really planning to go separate ways?
I am sorry to tell you since I entered the palace as Hong Yeon,
but I cannot agree with that plan.
It was not my father's will either.
Have you made up your mind then?
Yes.
His Majesty told me...
that he asked His Excellency Baek to take care of Mother.
Where is she right now?
I will take care of her now.
She wants her mother back?
Then we'll lose our last option.
Our last option?
Once you told me that...
you'll use her hand to stab the King's heart.
I think it's time to carry out our plan
by holding Kang Yi Soo's wife hostage.
You mean you'll make Eun Bo assassinate him?
We cannot ignore our morals.
You and Kang Yi Soo were friends.
How could you ask your friend's daughter to do...
I cannot accept it.
Do you have another solution then?
You don't, do you?
Will you give up on the plan like this?
It's necessary for us to take proper steps.
If we only focus on our goal and nothing else,
what would be the point of having a new world?
We need to wait for the right moment.
We can't just keep waiting. We have no energy.
Can't you see it yourself? Everyone is getting tired.
That's not all. How about the enlisted troops?
How about the sorry state of their training due to a lack of guns?
We can't wait any longer.
- It's time to take drastic measures. - Your Excellency.
We shall then.
I heard the King is still looking for the assassin.
When he does, that woman
will live for the King from now on.
If we don't act now, we'll lose our chance forever.
If so...
I'll step down at this point.
Look!
This is not the greater cause I dreamed of.
You're in a fit condition for the consummation.
I will let the chief eunuch know.
My Lady, it's Yeo Wool.
I will get going then.
My Lady.
His Excellency Baek asked me to give this to you.
His Excellency Baek Ja Yong?
I will let you see your mother.
Come to the temple in Naksan at 1 o'clock alone.
You are asking for permission to step outside?
Where are you planning to go?
The thing is...
I would like to see my mother.
I understand.
- I will get you a guard... - No.
That would draw too much attention. I will step out quietly.
Be back safely then.
- Yes, Your Majesty. - By the way,
it looks like the chief royal physician sent a word to Chief Eunuch Hwang.
Pardon?
That was just for the pulse...
She said everyone entering the palace needs to get checked.
You are teasing me, aren't you?
It's poison from pufferfish.
He will slowly run out of breath
and die with paralysis.
Yeo Wool, you should wait here.
You look better now.
Are there any difficulties living as a concubine?
No.
It's not too bad.
Sir.
I'd still like to thank you for taking care of
my mother and me.
You're acting as if we'll never see each other again.
There's no need to thank me.
As you know, I was your father's friend.
Well...
where is my mother?
She's in good health right now.
You'll be able to see her soon. Don't worry.
But...
there's something you must do first.
Something I must do?
Feed this to the King.
What's this?
It's poison.
Feed this to the King.
What's this?
It's poison.
Kill the King with your own hands.
[ Queen: Love and War ]
The King is only seeing Consort Hong neglecting the queen?
What would be the problem?
We just need to prevent her from getting pregnant.
No, I will never do that!
You will have to.
Your mother's life depends on it.
Must you be this way?
You won't have time to hesitate.
Sometimes when I see you, you feel like a different person.
You're not Eun Ki.
Who are you? Tell me who you are!
Tell me!
I loved you. I still love you.
I will only love you for the rest of my life.